1 John 4:6 6 We [who teach God’s word] are from God [energized by the Holy Spirit], and whoever knows God [progressively to perceive, recognize, and understand God by observation and experience and to get an ever-clearer knowledge of Him] listens to us [and has a deeper understanding of Him]. Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know [without any doubt] the spirit of truth [motivated by God] and the spirit of error [motivated by Satan]. (AMP)

Are you too concerned about being accepted?

When people agree with you, it makes you feel approved and recognized. Wanting to be accepted is a part of being human. As you live your life each day, you will come in contact with people who do not understand why you feel the way you do; why you make the choices you make; why you respond the way you respond, etc. It is okay. As a believer, the only way a person can and will understand your “whys”; is if they understand who God is. It is not enough for them to see who God is in your life or even who He is in their lives. They have to see who He is to everyone in the world. If you feel you are not being accepted, you cannot make someone understand or agree with the stand you take. Your actions and reactions come from your relationship with God. 

On the other hand, if what you hear from God does not line up with the people who are offering you acceptance, another issue is at stake. It is important to allow The Father to guide you. Knowing the difference between what is right and what is wrong is not always easy, especially when you are deciding on being accepted by someone or a group you want to be a part of. The very intelligent, crafty and persuasive people can make error look a lot like truth. God gives you the knowledge and wisdom to know the difference.

Mark 8:34-37 Jesus called the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake and the gospel’s will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God]. 36 For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world [with all its pleasures], and forfeit his soul? 37 For what will a man give in exchange for his soul and eternal life [in God’s kingdom]? (AMP)

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father God, I come to You asking for wisdom as I deal with those who cross my path each day. Help me distinguish between those who don’t accept me and those who reject You. In either case, show me if there’s something You would desire for me to say or do. I repent for getting my feeling entangled and trying to fix it myself. In every situation, please lead me in the path You have chosen and give me the words to say that will bring understanding, enlightenment, and give me peace. I know it is not my responsibility to change someone’s mind. If they do not know You, then they will not understand my words and my actions will not make sense to them. Help me not to give up my life with You, bit by bit, as I compromise what You require, to get what I desire. Help me continue to live a life that pleases You. I realize You are teaching me how to take away the struggle in my interactions, how to eliminate the need for acceptance, and how to change my desire from convincing to demonstrating. Give me the wisdom to interact with everyone as Your child and they will see You and not me… 

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: